World Cup Menu: Global Score!

Ah, the World Cup. Even if you’re not a slave to your bracket, chances are you’ll stay current, if only out of a voyeuristic sense of global adventure. Speaking of which, we’ve come up with a sort of bracket of our own, a menu inspired by six national teams. Make it, and you and your guests can advance from the qualifying Brazilian cocktail round, to a quarterfinal French starter, a final three (Spanish seafood, Mexican poultry, and German pork), to a Greek conclusion, pitting honey against cheese for the sweetest ending ever. As they say in Portuguese, Dar de bandeja!, or in English, Serve the game up on a plate (and maybe in a glass or two). Loser has to do the dishes.

BRAZIL: GRILLED CAIPIRINHAS Known as the national cocktail of Brazil, the Caipirinha (pictured, top) is a simple mix of muddled limes, sugar, ice, and cachaça. Dusting the limes with sugar and grilling them makes them juicy and easy to muddle, and adds a toasty caramel flavor. Get the recipe>>

FRANCE: SALADE NIÇOISE Nothing says summer in the French Riviera like a niçoise salad—it’s the perfect starter for our global menu. Get the recipe>>

MEXICO: TURKEY ALBONDIGAS SOUP The turkey meatballs are simmered in chicken broth along with carrots, zucchini, and tomatoes. Add a dash of hot sauce at the end to make it a little bit picante. Get the recipe>>

SPAIN: GRILLED PAELLA MIXTA

The key to this Spanish dish that you cook out on the backyard barbecue is the crusty caramelized layer of rice, called socarrat, that forms on the bottom of the pan. Gooaaal! Get the recipe>>

GERMANY: SLOW COOKER PORK & SAUERKRAUT

In this German-Alsatian classic, sausage, sauerkraut, boneless spareribs, and spices gently slow-cook together until the pork is meltingly tender. Serve with peppery mustard on the side. Get the recipe>>

GREECE: HONEY & CHEESE TART (MELOPITA)

Greek manouri, a lightly salted fresh cheese, complements the sweet honey and lemony crust. May the best team win! Get the recipe>>